November 1, 2012UncategorizedComments Off on 15-year-old charged with murder of man on Hillside Road in Mt Wellington

News from NZ Police
Counties Manukau Police investigating the Homicide of Tamati Tupe in Mt Wellington on 30 September have arrested and charged a 15 year old male with murder.

He will appear in the Manukau Youth Court on Friday.

The investigation is ongoing and Police will not rule out the possibility of further charges being laid in the future.

News from NZ Police – October 3
The man found dead on Hillside Rd, Mt Wellington on Sunday night has been identified as 23 year old Tamati Tupe of Mangere. A post mortem examination has been completed however Police will not be commenting further on the nature and extent of injuries. The Police investigation will focus on speaking to residents of nearby houses in relation to any activity on Panama Rd that Sunday evening or early Monday morning.

Police believe at least three other people were involved in an incident with the victim in the vicinity of Panama and Hillside Road.

Detective Inspector Dave Lynch says “We are urging anyone with information about these people or who saw or heard any activity in this location to make contact on 09 259 1261 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. Police are also interested in hearing from anyone who had any contact with the victim on Sunday 30 September.”

News from NZ Police – October 2
Police have arrested a 17 year old man and charged him with assault in relation to the body found on Sunday night on Hillside Road, Mt Wellington. Further charges are likely pending results of a post-mortem examination.

The arrested man will appear in the Manukau District Court today. Police are seeking a number of other persons believed to have been involved in the incident and are appealing to anyone with knowledge of the case to come forward.

Police are yet to identify the victim and are still interested in hearing from anyone who may know anybody matching the description.

The male victim was wearing blue jeans held up with a piece of white electrical cable and a green jumper/sweatshirt. He is believed to be in his 20s to 30s, Maori/Polynesian and is of average build and height with short black hair.

News from NZ Police – October 1
Counties Manukau Police have begun a homicide investigation after a man was found dead on Hillside Road, Mt Wellington. Detective Inspector Dave Lynch says “The body was found last night just before 11.30pm. A phone call was made from a telephone box on Panama Road to 111 notifying Ambulance that a body had been sighted. The telephone box is about one kilometre from where the body was located.

“The anonymous caller was a male, who called himself ‘Hohepa,’ he described himself as wearing a blue t-shirt, black jeans and a blue hat. A female voice was also heard and ‘Hohepa’ referred to her as his ‘missus’. She clearly described where the body was.

“Hohepa said he would wait at the scene for Police. When Police arrived the male wasn’t there. We encourage the person who called them self ‘Hohepa’ to contact Police urgently,” said Mr Lynch.

Currently the identity of the victim is unknown and Police are seeking information to identify him. He was described to be wearing blue jeans, held up with a piece of white electrical cable, a green jumper/sweatshirt. He is believed to be in his 20s to 30s, Maori/Polynesian and is of average build and height with short black hair.

UPDATE from NZ Police at 3.45pm
As a result of publicity today, the person who phoned ambulance last night has made contact with Police and is being interviewed. Police are still appealing to the public for assistance to identify the victim and for anyone with knowledge of what happened to the victim or how he came to be at the Hillside Rd location to call immediately on 09 259 1261.